ewurgler Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 So, link to another appalling David Brooks column: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/03/opini ... .html?_r=1 It's as if he is becoming more and more douchey and conservative to make up for Bill Kristol's glorious departure. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synthla Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Yeah, this one is pretty bad, and without even the smear of intellectualism that the other column had. That being said, the "Ward Three" hangups he describes (petty professional jealousies, sort of high income with disproportionate spending on private school for the kids, etc.) are exemplified by many of my friends and colleagues in my current line of work and they are as annoying and ridiculous as he makes them sound. Of course I wouldn't use those traits to justify feeling bad for people with even more money, but I'm certainly going to be glad to leave it behind to a degree. I enjoyed being broke and in graduate school more than I've enjoyed working for a generally high income, but feeling like I'm in a rat race I can't easily escape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IvyHope Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Actually, I sort of thought it was a dig at corporate/conservative irresponsibility... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewurgler Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 Actually, I sort of thought it was a dig at corporate/conservative irresponsibility... I read it as very passive aggressive toward those who work in government, education, etc--have the education and knowledge to make big bucks but choose not to. I found it incredibly shameless and filled with contempt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IvyHope Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Well, certainly Brooks is a conservative, so that's to be expected. But I did sense some condescension toward the conservatives (or at least the corporates) here. Definitely picked up on the message that whether or not they are making the big bucks, a libs work is at least meaningful (leaving much to be desired regarding the meaning of a CEO's work). The bit about the law school grad who resents a b-school grad...don't we all make fun of b-schools? ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misterpat Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Haha yeah, I don't know. I laughed when I read the term "Sublimated Liquidity Rage." Maybe I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt, but I thought the whole piece was tongue-in-cheek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IvyHope Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Maybe I'm just trying to be the optimist, as I (liberal and employed by the gov) just lost my job today :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewurgler Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 Maybe I'm just trying to be the optimist, as I (liberal and employed by the gov) just lost my job today :-( NO WAY!!! I'm so sorry!!! What type of work were you doing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IvyHope Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I work for the Dept of Ed. The governor slashed the Office of Literacy from the budget yesterday. Our whole office is cut. :-( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewurgler Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 I work for the Dept of Ed. The governor slashed the Office of Literacy from the budget yesterday. Our whole office is cut. :-( That is terrible!! Are you in california? Sounds like something Arnold would do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IvyHope Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 I know- Cali is in bad shape. No, not in Cali, but this is something that every state is facing..I think most state budgets are seriously in danger right now. I certainly am not alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewurgler Posted February 3, 2009 Author Share Posted February 3, 2009 Yeah, this is so terrible! Schools are seriously going to suffer. I am so sorry!! Have you heard from any programs? That way any sucky new job you get you know will only be very temporary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
limeinthecoconut Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Maybe I'm just trying to be the optimist, as I (liberal and employed by the gov) just lost my job today :-( Youch! I am so sorry to hear that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synthla Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 The bit about the law school grad who resents a b-school grad...don't we all make fun of b-schools? ;-) Yeah, but it really is the conventional wisdom among law students that the average b-school graduate is far less intelligent but often makes more money. Which is especially grating on lawyers because they make a pretty high income too, it's just that b-school grads have lately made a lot more (though we'll see how that works out over the next few years). It's the petty jealousy aspect Brooks describes all too well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IvyHope Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Yeah, but it really is the conventional wisdom among law students that the average b-school graduate is far less intelligent but often makes more money. Which is especially grating on lawyers because they make a pretty high income too, it's just that b-school grads have lately made a lot more (though we'll see how that works out over the next few years). It's the petty jealousy aspect Brooks describes all too well. Right. I think some grad students make fun of b-schools for the same reasons Not to mention the work in most law firms is sooo grueling. My bf did another famous all-nighter last night. Poor guy- I don't envy him at all, not even for his money (although that soon may change). :mrgreen: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
synthla Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Right. I think some grad students make fun of b-schools for the same reasons Not to mention the work in most law firms is sooo grueling. My bf did another famous all-nighter last night. Poor guy- I don't envy him at all, not even for his money (although that soon may change). :mrgreen: Your bf is pretty luck to have the work in this environment; so many law firms are laying off attorneys. That's my day-job right now, so I'll probably be envious of my past self here in a few months. But the work is just inane and challenging only in a physical sense, so I will not miss it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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